Raghav Awasthi has made headlines by representing the much talked about RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) in the Jaipur Dialogues as it's activist, tearing apart the arguments of many thinkers.

He
is a practising lawyer at the Supreme Court of India and a proud RSS
pracharak. We spoke with him to know what really the RSS is all about
and has the right-wing Hindu nationalist organization changed its way
of functioning since 2014.

In
Focus

Question:
Sir, you were representing the RSS in Jaipur Dialogues as an
activist. There are many thoughts about the Sangh, it's working and
ideas. People say that after BJP's assuming power in 2014, the Sangh
is changing and opening up to youth, is it really so?

Answer:
RSS has been the same since the time of its inception. Its working
and style of functioning has also been the same since its early days.
It was a conspiracy of the Congress and so-called Leftist
intellectuals to degrade the Sangh for vote bank politics. I will
quote LK Advaniji, who in his book "My Country My Life" said that
during the 1940s, the RSS was quite active in Sindh and working for
the people with much dedication. Its a propaganda machinery of rivals
which is saying that the Sangh is changing. Our aim of cultural
nationalism was, is and will, remain the same throughout.

Question:
Sir, why is it that Sangh pracharaks only join the BJP?

Answer:
Again, I will quote our Sah-Sarkaryavah Krishna Gopal ji, who
recently, at a book launch function, said, "Any swayam sevak can
join any political outfit, but outfits other than the BJP think of us
as untouchables."

Question:
Sir, what does nationalism mean for the RSS?

Answer:
Our nationalism is about the unity and integrity of our beloved
motherland. Its about enlightening the people about the great
traditions of Bharat and its cultural heritage. Our aim is cultural
unity.

Question:
Sir, you are a lawyer by profession at the Supreme Court of India,
what is your view on the JNU issue as you talked about it during the
Jaipur Dialogues. Please share your thoughts on how things conspired
at the JNU and HCU?

Answer:
Firstly, it's an international conspiracy to destabilize our country.
Slogans like "Bharat tere tukre honge, Insallah-Insallah" are not
only unacceptable but also seditious. Its a signal of incitement of
violence to break our motherland. Even I was told that arms were
shown by elements on that day at the JNU campus. Moreover, I will
bring to light that there are elements in mainstream media who
indirectly support this. I cannot believe that only 8-10 people can
do such a seditious act within the premises of a premium university
in New Delhi. Its an act aimed at breaking India and orchestrated by
those who are perhaps working on the payrolls of foreign agencies.

Question:
Sir, it's a known fact that Sangh is near to the government of the
day, so then, why is not the Sangh telling all this to the ministers
of the government?

Answer:
Sangh opposes all the anti-national activities in our democratic
capacity. As far as the government is concerned, it is definitely
acting against such elements.

Question:
Sir, you are a Supreme Court lawyer and a public intellectual, as
Prime Minister says that educated people must join politics, will we
see you in the Parliament in the near future?

Answer:
This is not on
my mind, I only want to serve my organization and bring change in the
society. I am a proud member of the
Sangh
and
whatever responsibilitiesthe
Sangh
will give me, I will do, be it working in the
Northeast
or in Kashmir.